CDC Survey says EHR Adoption on the Rise

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Posted By: Roberta Mullin December 1, 2011

CDC Report Finds EHR Adoption Rising Among Physicians

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on their finding from a survey focusing on office based physicians and the EHR Incentive program this week. The report describes trends in EHR adoption through 2011 along with information on the readiness of physicians to meet parts of meaningful use objectives. The data was compiled from mail surveys in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and findings were summarized by states.

Key findings

  • In 2011, 57% of office-based physicians used electronic medical record/electronic health record (EMR/EHR) systems, with use by state ranging from 40% in Louisiana to 84% in North Dakota.
  • About one-third of physicians (34%) reported having a system that met the criteria for a basic system, ranging by state from 16% in New Jersey to 61% in Minnesota.
  • In 2011, 52% of physicians reported intending to apply for meaningful use incentives, up from 41% in 2010.
  • In 2010, 43% of physicians planning to apply for meaningful use incentives had computerized systems that would allow them to meet eight Stage 1 Core Set objectives, with percentages by state ranging from 26% in Texas to 70% in Wisconsin.

Other findings show adoption of EHR in office-based physicians has increased. Using survey information from 2001-2009 and comparing to survey information from 2010-2011, EHR use has increased 12% from 2001 to 2010 and 18% from 2001 to 2011. The survey shows 57% of office-based physician reported using EMR/EHR systems.

The top 5 states for physicians currently using an EHR and coming in above the National average of 57% are; ND 84.4%, UT 80.7%, MN 78.1%, WI 76.1%, WA 75.8. The top 5 states that currently have the most physicians planning to apply for for EHR Incentive money are: MI 51.3%, AK 50.3%, KS 50.3%, KY 51.0%, AL 49.6% Overall physicians with intentions to apply are up 26% from 2010. The national average is 41% and four states, Alaska, New York, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wash DC fall below that average. This all showing adoption varies greatly by state.

For more information you can read the survey report or the findings summary.

Register for our encore e-learning session Meaningful Use for Specialists: How to Earn EHR Incentives. Learn more here.